Police found a private hire vehicle with bald tyres when on patrol in Manchester - before the driver then claimed he had checked them just last month.
The Manchester evening News reports that officers out with on an operation with Wolverhampton Council's Compliance Officers on Saturday night, 24 February, stopped the driver of the black Ford before the tyres were checked.
Pictures shared to social media showed police inspecting the tyres before the cab was suspended due to being driven with the heavily worn, illegal tyre.
In defence, the driver then claimed the tyre had been checked just the previous month.
The council's spokesperson then issued a reminder to drivers on the importance of checking vehicles.
A City of Wolverhampton Council Licensing spokesperson said: “Compliance Officers patrolled around Greater Manchester last night with Greater Manchester Police. One vehicle suspended for an illegal tyre, also vehicle prohibited by police.
“Driver - ‘I checked tyre last month’ ... Really!? Check your vehicle before every shift!”
The legal tyre depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Anything under this could be illegal.
The consequences of driving with illegal tyres could cost drivers three penalty points on their licence, as well as a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.
A taxi driver has been reported to the police for "inappropriate conduct" while another "may have facilitated shoplifters" by driving them away from the scene.
According to the Central Fife Times, the details were contained in a report by Fife Council's licensing enforcement officer who looked into 31 complaints and enquiries between October 1 and December 31 last year.
Two taxi drivers were issued with written warnings and another was given a verbal warning.
The officer, Craig Ritchie, told the regulation and licensing committee: "One driver has been accused of inappropriate conduct in the taxi and the matter has also been reported to the police with an investigation ongoing.
"The warning has been issued pending the outcome of the police investigation."
The other written warning went to a private hire car driver who had parked in a taxi rank to pick up a hire - he claimed to be "unaware" of the rank rules.
The verbal warning was issued to a vehicle operator who allowed the MOT on one of their fleet of taxis to expire, which was put down to an administration error.
Mr Ritchie's enquiries covered licensing issues other than taxi drivers and vehicle operators.
Advice was given in nine cases, including to a taxi driver who "may have facilitated shoplifters leaving the scene after committing theft".
Mr Ritchie also took part in spot checks on various licensing activities with one taxi driver sent off the rank for not having their ID badge and for wearing a tracksuit, which is against the dress code.
Three cabbies were also ticked off for the "dirty" state of their vehicle.
A west Belfast man who claimed he became involved in the drugs trade due to a lockdown-linked downturn in his income as a taxi driver has been jailed.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Sean Adams was handed a 32-month sentence on 20 February, which was divided equally between prison and licence.
As she passed sentence on the dad-of-four, Judge Sandra Crawford said his role was one of a "transporter and storeman" in a "wholesale operation."
Belfast Crown Court heard that on April 3, 2023 police searched a caravan in Carnlough which was owned by Adams and his partner.
During the search, bags of cannabis and cocaine were located along with gloves and sets of scales.
A total of 1.2 kilos of high-purity cocaine was seized, as was 13.4 kilos of cannabis and 1.47 kilos of benzocaine.
The estimated street value of the cocaine amounted to between £95,000 and £140,000 whilst the cannabis was worth between £130,000 and £200,000.
Adams home was also searched and £4,000 was seized with what the judge described as "several expensive watches."
Following his arrest, Adams told police the drugs were his and his partner knew nothing about them.
During his interview, he didn't divulge where he got the drugs from, refused to provide a PIN for his phone and answered 'no comment' when questioned about who he was working with and whether he was acting under duress.
In a later interview with probation, Adams claimed he became involved as he was struggling financially due to the downturn in his income as a taxi driver caused by lockdown.
He also told the probation officer he became "caught up" in the financial benefits the criminality brought.
Adams subsequently pleaded guilty to five charges including possessing both cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and possessing criminal property in the form of £4,000 and several luxury watches.
The judge said she considered defence submissions which spoke of Adams settled home life, his time on remand since last his arrest last April, admissions of guilt and an absence of any relevant offending.
She said she had also taken into account Adams efforts to "bring about positive change" whilst in custody which includes passing drug tests and engaging in various courses.
As she imposed the sentence, Judge Crawford told Adams: "The substantial quantities and value of the drugs recovered demonstrates that a significant level of trust was reposed in you by those for whom you were working."
Adding that given the ‘serious nature’ of the offending the custody threshold was ‘clearly’ met, the judge handed Adams a 32-month sentence and granted a Crown application to destroy all the drugs seized.
A proposal to keep taxi fares in West Lothian at their current level is set to go to public consultation.
In its latest consultation the majority of the licence holders voted to keep fares as they are. The vote 25-7 against a rise, from 32 local taxi licence holders.
A report the council’s Executive said: “The Taxi Owners Association (TOA) representatives stated that the consensus at the ranks was for no change and that a rise at this time would be detrimental to business due to competition from discounting schemes and fixed rates offered by private hire cars with lower running costs.
“They felt that the previous fare rise was significant and it was too soon for a further rise and they would seek a rise at the next statutory review in 18 months time.”
Neither the TOA nor the West Lothian Taxi and Private Hire Car Owners and Drivers Association sought any changes to the current fare table.
However members of a third group representing taxi drivers - The Fellowship - had suggested rises citing inflationary pressure on costs as the reason for the required increase.
The council’s Executive backed a motion to advertise a proposed new fare table, with no changes to the current fares and charges.
The council is legally required to carry out a review of taxi fares every 18 months, after consultation with local taxi licence holders.
It is then required to publish notice of any proposed changes and consider any representations in writing before agreeing a new fare table, which would take effect in May 2024.
For more details of the current fares and charges for taxis and hire cars in West Lothian, please visit: www.westlothian.gov.uk/taxi-private-hire-cars-fares
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/brakes-put-taxi-fares-increase-32195178
Three drivers employed by private hire firm Addison Lee have reached an out-of-court settlement in a long-running dispute around holiday pay and the minimum wage.
The claim was originally brought by the drivers, represented by law firm Leigh Day and members of trade union GMB.
The settlement follows a 2017 employment tribunal judgment that ruled Addison Lee drivers are workers, which was upheld by a 2018 employment appeal tribunal and 2021 Court of Appeal case.
The details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Despite the settlement, more than six hundred other drivers have also lodged claims for compensation, using law firm Leigh Day.
However, Addison Lee argues that the 2017 judgment does not apply to the other claimants who have since brought claims against the company.
Leigh Day stated that a hearing is due to take place in October and November 2024 to determine whether the rest of the claimants are workers and entitled to workers’ rights.
GMB Union said that its members have been waiting seven years for compensation, as it noted that some have died while waiting.
The union estimates Addison Lee’s final compensation bill could run into the “tens of millions of pounds”.
Commenting on the news, Steve Garelick, GMB organiser said: “For seven years, GMB has stood alongside our members in this fight for justice. We are proud to have played a role in securing this outcome, which ensures that Addison Lee will pay drivers the millions they are owed.
“One of our lead claimants has a terminal illness and we have lost other members during this battle for them and their families the win is bittersweet. We urge other companies to learn from this case and ensure their workers are treated fairly,” he added.
While, Liana Wood, a senior associate at Leigh Day said: “This settlement is yet another blow to big firms operating in the gig economy.?
"It is a reminder that companies cannot ignore their legal obligations and must treat their workers fairly.”?
A spokesperson for Addison Lee stated: “Following the Lange determination in 2017, Addison Lee continued to evolve its working practices to address the issues raised. This was also reinforced under new management in March 2020.
"Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, on our return we introduced entirely new contractual arrangements.
“This includes providing drivers with the London Living Wage guarantee, explicit holiday pay entitlement, and access to an industry leading pension – without compromising on the flexibility our drivers demand.
"These changes reinforce the self-employed status of our drivers, who consistently tell us they prefer the freedom and flexibility to work on their own terms – when, where and how often they see fit,” they added.
Source: https://employeebenefits.co.uk/addison-lee-drivers-reach-settlement-in-workers-rights-dispute/
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.